Miscellaneous

Here are some examples of awareness and considerations concerning
awareness that don't yet fit the framework of the previous sections.

I am slow to solve the problem because I waste time thinking about
ducks. I'd like Mark Stickel's SNARK to observe, ``I'm slow to solve
the problem, because I keep proving equivalent lemmas over and over''.

I was aware that I was letting my dislike of the man influence me to
reject his proposal unfairly.

Here are some general considerations about what fluents should be used
in making self-aware systems.

1. Observability. One can observe ones intentions. One cannot
observe the state of ones brain at a more basic level. This is an
issue of epistemological adequacy as introduced in [McCarthy and Hayes 1969].

2. Duration. Intentions can last for many years, e.g. "I intend to
retire to Florida when I'm 65". "I intend to have dinner at home
unless something better turns up."

3. Forming a system with other fluents. Thus beliefs lead to other
beliefs and eventually actions.

Is there a technical difference between observations that constitute
self-observations and those that don't? Do we need a special
mechanism for self-observation? At present I don't think so.

If is a precondition for some action, it may not be
in consciousnes, but if the action becomes considered, whether is
true will then come into consciousnes, i.e. short term memory. We
can say that the agent is subaware of .